South Korea Reports 4 New MERS Cases, Total Rises To 179

A couple wearing masks to prevent contracting Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) rides a tandem bicycle at the Han river park in Seoul, South Korea on June 22, 2015. Photo: Reuters/Kim Hong-Ji

South Korea's health ministry reported four new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to 179.

The health ministry also said 67 people who had tested positive for the MERS virus had recovered and been discharged from hospital since the outbreak started in May. South Korea's outbreak of the virus is the largest outside Saudi Arabia.